Free The Night begin legal challenge on licensing decision
Free The Night has begun a legal challenge to the Minister for Communities’ response to Northern Ireland’s independent licensing review.
Free The Night’s Response to NI Rates Increase
Over the last week we’ve seen the impact of Reval 2026 start to land on the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.
Land & Property Services has published draft new rateable values for every non-domestic property in NI. Overall values are up around 15% since the last revaluation, but for many pubs, venues and hotels the jump is far higher, with some facing increases of 200–300% in their draft rates bills.
Free The Night’s response to the Minister’s statement on the independent review of the liquor licensing system in Northern Ireland
Northern Irish nightlife charity and advocacy group Free The Night has strongly condemned Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for rejecting the central recommendations of the University of Stirling’s Independent Review of Northern Ireland’s liquor licensing system, a review that cost the public £478,000 and has now been set aside in favour of private commercial interests.
From Licensing Delays to Late-Night Buses: Inside a Constructive Conversation with Minister Gordon Lyons
Yesterday we met with the Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons to discuss the challenges facing our night time communities and options for moving forward.